Paul Dresser

Paul Dresser was born in April of 1859 in the house pictured to the right. It was built in 1850, where originally it was located at 318 S. Second Street in Terre Haute. This house consisted of one bedroom, a kitchen, and a living room. In the 1960's, there were people, like usual, wanting to demolish the building, but with the help from the Vigo County Historical Society, they managed to find the money to save it and move it to where it stands today at Fairbanks Park. It now has a second floor that it didn't originally have, including two bedrooms that are accessible only from the outside of the building.

Paul, as a child into his teen years had many problems of getting in trouble with the law and spend several months in jail. After getting out, he joined a band and began traveling. He grew in fame and became very popular. He began writing music, and eventually wrote the most famous of his music, "On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away". He became very wealthy from this, but it didn't last long, as the style of music didn't last and his income dropped tremendously. He eventually had to file bankruptcy in 1905, and the following year he passed away.